For dog owners, it can be difficult to keep track of which human foods are safe or harmful for dogs to eat. There are nutritional benefits to eating a wide range of foods, but your dog doesn’t need to eat human foods. Commercial dog food contains all the nutrients they need.

If you do want to supplement their food with some tasty treats, remember they should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily food intake. Dogs can get an upset tummy when trying new foods, and they can also suffer from food related allergies. When trying new foods, introduce them to your dog slowly and keep an eye out for any signs of a reaction.

Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Yes, watermelons make a great summer treat for dogs as they’re 92% water! They’re a great way to stay hydrated. Make sure you remove the rind and seeds first as they can cause a tummy blockage. Watermelons are full of vitamin A, B6 and C, as well as potassium, which all contribute to healthy skin, vision, bone, immune system, heart, and nervous system.

Watermelon is also full of fibre, which promotes good gut bacteria. As with all high fibre foods, it’s best to eat them in moderation. Have a go at making some frozen watermelon lollies for a refreshing dog treat. You can either freeze chunks of watermelon or blend it first and then freeze.

Can Dogs Eat Blackberries?

Yes, dogs can eat blackberries as a low-calorie snack but in small amounts. They contain vitamins A, B, C, E and K, which is good for your dog’s heart, brain and coat; supports skin, bone and tooth health; boosts immunity and metabolism; and promotes muscle development. They also contain the fatty acid Omega-3 which helps keep your dog’s coat in great condition and can help reduce inflammation. Plus, antioxidants that help improve brain function, reduce inflammation, and can reduce the risk of some cancers.

Too many blackberries can cause tummy upset due to their high fibre content, natural sugars or a possible allergic reaction. Blackberries also contain small traces of xylitol, which is deadly for dogs. But their xylitol content is so low that your dog would have to consume a huge amount to experience poisoning. Contact your vet if your dog shows any of the following reactions: excessive vomiting, excessive diarrhoea, blood in vomit or poo, seizures, weakness or loss of coordination, or collapse.

Make sure you wash the berries before feeding them to your dog and avoid frozen berries as they usually contain added sugar or xylitol.

Can Dogs Eat Olives?

Yes, dogs can eat plain unsalted olives in moderation. They’re full of healthy fats and protein but can cause weight gain if too many are eaten. They also contain lots of vitamins and minerals. Make sure the olive pits are taken out before giving olives to your dog as these can cause choking or breathing obstruction, and can even get lodged in your dog’s intestines.

Avoid canned or pickled olives as they often contain lots of salt, which can cause dehydration or even toxicity. And don’t give your dog stuffed olives as they may contain toxic ingredients for dogs like garlic.

Can Dogs Eat Onions?

No, onions should never be fed because they are toxic to dogs. Onions contains a toxin that causes damage to red blood cells, which can lead to haemolytic anaemia in dogs. All parts of an onion are toxic, including powdered onion.

The rest of the allium family are also toxic to dogs, this includes garlic, chives, leeks and shallots. Onion powder is added to a surprisingly wide range of food, so always check the label before letting your dog have a taste.

Be aware that onion and garlic powders are even more potent than the fresh forms. Symptoms of onion toxicity include lethargy, weakness, pale gums, reddish urine, decreased appetite, and fainting. Contact your vet immediately if your dog displays any of these symptoms.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken?

Yes, dogs can eat raw chicken, but it’s not recommended because of the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections. There has been increasing attention on raw meat diets for dogs and the health benefits. But the idea that it’s healthier for our pets is largely unproven and not based on scientific research.

Feeding raw or undercooked meats can lead to potentially fatal health effects. There’s a high risk of contamination, particularly in young, old and immunocompromised dogs. Chicken is a great source of protein, so if you want to give your dog chicken it’s best to first roast, poach, grill or bake it.

Be aware that chicken is one of the top 10 allergy-inducing ingredients, so keep an eye out for signs of an allergic reaction. This includes vomiting, diarrhoea, or skin reactions. It’s best to remove any cooked chicken bones as they can splinter easily, which can cause choking or a gastrointestinal tract puncture.

Can Dogs Eat Coconut?

Yes, coconut is safe for dogs to eat and has several health benefits. Coconut meat is high in lauric acid, which is good at fighting off viruses, like influenza. It also helps treat ringworm, Giardia, and yeast infections. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to speed up the healing of wounds as well as helping reduce inflammation in arthritic dogs.

Coconut is packed full of antioxidants that help to support the immune system. Coconut oil and meat can be used internally and externally to benefit your dog’s skin and coat. Hot spots, flea allergies and dry skin can all be soothed with the anti-inflammatory properties of coconut. And the fatty acids promote a healthy coat.

Make sure you remove the coconut shell if you’re feeding your dog coconut meat as it can get stuck in their oesophagus, causing intestinal irritation or a blockage.

Can Dogs Eat Kiwi?

Yes, but there’s a few things to think about before giving your dog some kiwi. The fruit is a choking hazard if given whole, so make sure it’s chopped into small pieces or slices. Kiwis have a tough outer skin that contains high levels of insoluble fibre known as “roughage”.

Tummy upset or diarrhoea can be a result of too much roughage. Ideally remove the skin to reduce the amount of fibre being eaten, and only give it to your dog in small amounts. The kiwi fruit is packed with vitamin C and potassium, but dogs don’t have the same nutritional requirements as humans, so will not benefit nutritionally from this fruit as much as they do with others.

So, if you want to give your dog some of your kiwi, then go ahead, but don’t make it part of their daily diet or substitution for more nutritious foods.

Can Dogs Eat Bacon?

No, it’s not a good idea to let your dog eat bacon because it’s very fatty and has a very high salt content. This can be harmful to your dog's health because high fats can lead to weight gain and cause problems if your dog has diabetes or pancreatitis. And salt is an issue because it can cause dehydration or toxicity over time.

There are no health benefits to eating bacon, and there are many other meat options that are better suited to a dog’s digestive system. Bacon isn’t considered toxic to dogs, so if your dog manages to get hold of some when you’re not looking, it won’t require a visit to the vets. But, if your dog consumes a lot of bacon, they’ll likely get an upset tummy and either vomit or have some diarrhoea.

If your dog has a health condition, like pancreatitis or a heart condition, the risks of eating bacon are much greater. Contact your vet if you’re concerned.

Can Dogs Eat Pistachios?

No! Although pistachios aren’t toxic to dogs, they can cause health problems so should be avoided. They’re a choking hazard and could get stuck in your dog’s throat. They have a high fat and salt content that can cause health issues like weight gain and pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a serious condition that can progress quickly, so contact your vet if your dog appears lethargic or has a tummy upset after eating pistachios.

Pistachios contain urushiol which is a poison found in ivy that makes dog sick. They also contain aflatoxin, which is a naturally produced mould that grows in the shell. Consuming aflatoxin can cause gastrointestinal upset, make dogs weak and lethargic, and can lead to seizures.

Can Dogs Eat Asparagus?

Yes, it’s safe for dogs to eat asparagus but there isn’t any real benefit in giving it to them. Raw asparagus is difficult to chew and digest and poses a choking hazard. Eating raw asparagus can cause vomiting, gas or diarrhoea. You can feed your dog steamed or boiled asparagus, but cooking decreases the nutrient content.

There are many other vegetable options that are easier to digest and nutritious, like carrots, celery and cucumber. If you grow your own asparagus, make sure your dog can’t help themselves. Asparagus fern, the inedible part, is toxic to dogs and will cause vomiting, diarrhoea and severe tummy pain.

Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?

No, it’s best to avoid giving your dog ice cream. A dog’s digestive system is not designed to digest milk after they have weaned. Puppies have the lactase enzyme needed to break down their mother’s milk, but their bodies produce less of this as they are weaned.

Adult dogs can be lactose intolerant to varying degrees. This means that they can’t properly digest the dairy products and therefore experience stomach discomfort. Symptoms include loose stools, diarrhoea, vomiting, gas and stomach pain. Dairy products that are high in fat can also cause pancreatitis.

Another problem with feeding your dog ice cream is that some flavours may contain ingredients that are toxic for dogs, like chocolate. A safer alternative to ice cream is to freeze some plain yoghurt, although not all dogs can easily digest this either. For a healthy dairy free option, blend ripe bananas until creamy, and then freeze them, or treat them and buy some doggy-friendly ice cream which you’ll be able to fine in many high street shops.

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Additional content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/canis 

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.